{"id":78979,"date":"2025-12-10T22:05:09","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T22:05:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/78979\/"},"modified":"2025-12-10T22:05:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T22:05:09","slug":"overtowns-everyday-people-showcases-black-art-during-soul-basel-lifestyles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/78979\/","title":{"rendered":"Overtown’s ‘Everyday People’ showcases Black art during Soul Basel | Lifestyles"},"content":{"rendered":"

The beauty, resilience and complexity of the African American experience illuminate the walls of the Everyday People exhibit in the heart of Overtown. Featuring over 80 art pieces across three locations \u2014 including the City of Miami Black Police Precinct Courthouse and Museum, the Overtown Performing Arts Center, and The OVRTWN Corner \u2014 the exhibition added depth to Overtown\u2019s annual Soul Basel celebration.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Under the guidance of Black Police Precinct Museum Executive Director Terrance Cribbs-Lorrant and Dayton, Ohio, NAACP curator Elijah Rashaed, the Everyday People exhibit showcases works by Black artists from across the globe and will be on view through March 2026.<\/p>\n

Honoring Miami\u2019s artistic lineage, Cribbs-Lorrant also incorporated select historic works from the pioneering 1970s collective, the Miami Black Art Workshop. The group \u2014 whose members include Roland Woods Jr., Robert McKnight, Donald McKnight, Gene Tinnie (Dinizulu), Kabuya Bowens-Saffo, Walter Dennis and more \u2014 ignited South Florida\u2019s Black visual arts movement through community-driven mentorship and education.<\/p>\n

\"Kevin<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Art by Kevin West adds soul, colorful hues, and warmth to the Everyday People exhibit.<\/p>\n

(Courtesy of AJ Shorter Photography)<\/p>\n

The roots of Everyday People<\/p>\n

While the exhibition has captured the hearts of many in South Florida, its story began in Michigan. The nationally acclaimed Everyday People exhibit debuted at the Carr Center in Detroit as a two-part exhibition, led by the center\u2019s president and CEO, Oliver Ragsdale.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Tinnies\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Arts and culture activist and artist Dinizulu Gene Tinnie attends the Everyday People exhibit in Overtown with his spouse, Dr. Wallis Hamm Tinnie.<\/p>\n

(Courtesy of AJ Shorter Photography)<\/p>\n

Part one of the exhibition ran from Jan. 31 to April 11, 2025, followed by part two from April 25 to June 19, 2025. The Detroit exhibition featured over 85 artworks by more than 40 artists, curated by Rashaed and Dalia Reyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, Cribbs-Lorrant visited part one of the exhibit. He said he felt instantly called to bring that artistry to Overtown, itself home to generations of Black artists and families.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI got a chance to see the exhibit in Detroit, and before I left, I immediately said I would like to bring this to Miami,\u201d said Cribbs-Lorrant. \u201cI saw so many elements of our community, our culture, and the current climate that we\u2019re in.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Floyd<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Artworks by Floyd Strickland depict detailed faces of determination on museum walls.<\/p>\n

(Courtesy of AJ Shorter Photography)<\/p>\n

It took nearly a year of Cribbs-Lorrant’s efforts alongside the NAACP to make that mission come true. After months of organizing, planning and envisioning, \u201cI Am Everyday People\u201d arrived in Miami.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to incorporate the \u2018I Am\u2019 because I want people to see \u2018I Am Everyday People,\u2019 no matter what culture or what continent you come from, I needed you to get that,\u201d said Cribbs-Lorrant.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Tyreek<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Art pieces by Tyreek Morrison showcase moments that make up the young African American experience.<\/p>\n

(Faith Francois for The Miami Times)<\/p>\n

The meaning behind the walls<\/p>\n

Even the finest details of the Everyday People exhibit, from its three carefully chosen locations to the colors on its walls, are intentional, according to Cribbs-Lorrant.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI like to feed on the elements of people’s senses, bringing in all of these ways that people can connect to the show,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Ochieng<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Art pieces by Eddy Ochieng (left) and Tim Okamura (right) illustrate shades of blue and the female African American experience.<\/p>\n

(Faith Francois for The Miami Times)<\/p>\n

Aside from the Historic Black Police Precinct Courthouse and Museum, Cribbs-Lorrant chose to showcase art pieces at the Overtown Performing Arts Center and The OVRTWN Corner, both bringing relatability to the African American experience. One space once served as a church, the other as a familiar corner store, both deeply rooted in the rhythms of African American community life and upbringing. Cribbs-Lorrant also incorporated sensory elements across the venues, using televisions, curated music, distinct scents and varied lighting to shape the environment. Even the choice of brown paint was a deliberate break from the typical white or black museum backdrop.<\/p>\n

\u201cI made a very strong effort to present the color palette that represents the many different hues of humanity,\u201d said Cribbs-Lorrant.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Everyday People exhibit in Overtown welcomes attendees into the shared experiences of African and Black Americans.<\/p>\n

(Faith Francois for The Miami Times)<\/p>\n

The placement of the artworks carried its own symbolism. In the Historic Police Precinct venue, Cribbs-Lorrant placed an artwork by Amba-Enighe Okoye titled \u201cGreat Expectations\u201d on the highest wall in the courthouse. This was meant to place her in a space of power, ensuring that museum visitors will look up to her.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While every element of the exhibit is carefully curated with purpose, Cribbs-Lorrant ultimately leaves room for visitors to discover their own meaning within each piece.<\/p>\n

Retired Miami-Dade Police Sgt. Willie Smith, for instance, found himself caught in a memory while walking through the exhibit. Aaron Hazel\u2019s \u201cNewspaper Table Cloth\u201d showcases multiple children gathered together on the floor of a dining room.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis reminds me of when my grandparents lived in Overtown, when they went fishing on the trail, and they caught all the fish,\u201d said Smith. \u201cMe and my cousin would put papers down so we could clean the fish for them to cook up.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Miami\u2019s celebration of Black creativity<\/p>\n

\"Omolade<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Artist Kip Omolade brings striking hyper-realistic oil paintings to the walls of Soul Basel.<\/p>\n

(Faith Francois for The Miami Times)<\/p>\n

As the Everyday People exhibit made its Miami debut, it became a highlight of Overtown\u2019s annual Soul Basel, a weeklong celebration of art and culture taking place during Miami\u2019s Art Week, which welcomes artists, celebrities and art lovers to view countless exhibitions, performances and immersive experiences. Now in its 13th year, Soul Basel continues to transform the neighborhood into a celebration of emerging and established Black artists.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The annual event is presented in partnership with the Southeast Overtown\/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency and local nonprofits and cultural institutions. This year, Soul Basel welcomed a diverse lineup of exhibitions, including showcases at the Center for Black Innovation, The Historic Ward Rooming House, The Urban, Brightline MiamiCentral, and The Overtown Youth Center, among others.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy intent is to make art and to be the partner that Soul Basel wants to have come into this community and show art. I want to be that partner that helps to elevate and guide the story that celebrates the Black diaspora,\u201d said Cribbs-Lorrant.<\/p>\n

\"Chris<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Art by Chris Clark embraces color pops, textured hair, and the African American youth experience.<\/p>\n

(Faith Francois for The Miami Times)<\/p>\n

For local artist Chris Clark, whose pieces are featured in multiple locations of the Everyday People exhibit, having his art showcased has been both a major achievement and personal highlight.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good to be amongst such incredible artists, such great Black artists, and a lot of great world-renowned artists like Ernie Barnes,\u201d said Clark. \u201cIt\u2019s an amazing show, I’m just glad to be a part of it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The exhibition will remain open until March of 2026, allowing it to extend well beyond the hustle and bustle of Miami Art Week. In the coming weeks, the Historic Police Precinct hopes to officially launch the Everyday People exhibition’s third location at The OVRTWN Corner, just walking distance from the others.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want us to feel like we belong here,\u201d Cribbs-Lorrant said. \u201cWe should be able to have quality exhibited artwork and shows that are in our community.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The beauty, resilience and complexity of the African American experience illuminate the walls of the Everyday People exhibit…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":78980,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[44249,44248,44261,44258,44256,44250,44254,44263,44247,44245,44238,44251,44264,44235,44242,225,227,226,44257,44243,44260,44262,44239,44246,44252,44259,44241,44240,44236,44255,44237,44253,44244],"class_list":{"0":"post-78979","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-hialeah","8":"tag-aaron-hazel-newspaper-table-cloth-painting","9":"tag-amba-enighe-okoye-great-expectations-artwork","10":"tag-black-diaspora-art-celebration-miami","11":"tag-brightline-miamicentral-cultural-events","12":"tag-center-for-black-innovation-miami","13":"tag-chris-clark-miami-black-artist-soul-basel","14":"tag-city-of-miami-black-police-precinct-courthouse-museum","15":"tag-community-driven-black-art-exhibitions-miami","16":"tag-dalia-reyes-detroit-curator","17":"tag-detroit-carr-center-everyday-people-exhibit","18":"tag-elijah-rashaed-naacp-curator","19":"tag-ernie-barnes-featured-black-artist","20":"tag-everyday-people-exhibit-march-2026-closing","21":"tag-everyday-people-exhibit-overtown-miami","22":"tag-gene-tinnie-dinizulu-miami-art-history","23":"tag-hialeah","24":"tag-hialeah-headlines","25":"tag-hialeah-news","26":"tag-historic-ward-rooming-house-art-showcase","27":"tag-kabuya-bowens-saffo-miami-black-artist","28":"tag-miami-african-american-cultural-heritage","29":"tag-miami-art-week-black-creativity","30":"tag-miami-black-art-workshop-collective","31":"tag-oliver-ragsdale-carr-center-president","32":"tag-overtown-performing-arts-center-exhibitions","33":"tag-overtown-youth-center-art-programming","34":"tag-robert-mcknight-black-visual-arts-miami","35":"tag-roland-woods-jr-miami-artist","36":"tag-soul-basel-2025-miami-art-week","37":"tag-southeast-overtown-park-west-cra-partnership","38":"tag-terrance-cribbs-lorrant-black-police-precinct-museum","39":"tag-the-ovrtwn-corner-art-space","40":"tag-walter-dennis-miami-black-art-legacy"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78979","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=78979"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78979\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/78980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=78979"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=78979"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=78979"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}